The Leiter family serves as the March of Dimes Ambassador Family for the Cobb Signature Chefs Auction. Front row from left, Charlotte and Claire. Second row from left, Max, Eliza Kate, Jason and Lisa. The 25th Annual Cobb Signature Chefs Auction benefiting the March of Dimes is Oct. 3 at 6:30 p.m. at Marietta Country Club in Kennesaw. Charlotte and Claire Leiter were born at 33 1/2 weeks at 4 pounds, 2 ounces and 4 pounds and 7 ounces, respectively. The girls spent the first month of life in the Kennestone NICU. Shortly after the twins’ birth in 2005, Lisa and Jason attended March of Dimes, Cobb Signature Chefs Auction. From just attending the event to chairing the event, they now proudly serve as the March of Dimes Ambassador Family for the gala.

Local chefs will cook up a recipe for healthy babies at the 25th Annual Cobb Signature Chefs Auction benefiting the March of Dimes. The event is Oct. 3 at 6:30 p.m. at Marietta Country Club in Kennesaw.

The evening also celebrates the March of Dimes 75th anniversary. Chefs, caterers and local celebrity chefs will showcase their signature dishes in tasting size at a reception as well as donate a unique package for the live auction. A silent auction will be conducted during the reception. The live auction features packages such as fine dining, hotel/resort stays, weekend getaways, spa vacations and much more.

“The mission of the March of Dimes is to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality,” said Jennifer Johnson-Lynch, who co-chairs the event with Jennifer Martin. The Kennesaw resident is married to Keith Lynch. They have three children: 6-year-old Berkeley, 4-year-old Preston, and 1-year-old Westin. They were the Ambassador Family for the 2012 event.

“As the leading national health organization dedicated to the health of babies, the March of Dimes conducts and funds programs of research, community services, education and advocacy. Their goal is for every mom to have a healthy pregnancy and research the problems that affect the health of all newborn babies,” Johnson-Lynch said.

“This event is crucial in raising funds to continue the March of Dimes efforts,” Martin said. Martin and husband Jimmy lost a daughter, Reese, who was diagnosed with a heart defect in utero. They have one daughter, 1-year-old Emery.

“Should (Reese) have made it here to us, (March of Dimes) would have been an integral part of her recovery,” Martin said.

“In 2012, 4 million babies benefited from MOD research, vaccination, education and break through. Only with events like this are those numbers possible. The money raised at the event goes directly into the investment of the babies,” Martin said.

Signature Chefs Auction is one of two major Cobb County fundraisers for the March of Dimes.

“This year, we celebrate the 25th anniversary of this event, which is a huge milestone. It goes to show how supportive the community has been in supporting this event year after year. We are constantly overwhelmed with the number of gracious chefs who agree to lend their talents and delicious concoctions to this event,” Johnson-Lynch said.

The club is at 1400 Marietta Country Club Drive, Kennesaw. Individual tickets are $150 and tables are available. To order and learn more, visit marchofdimes.com/georgia/events/events_cobbsignaturechefs2013.html.

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